Stay ConnectedThe Touch of Gaming podcast is your source for iPad and iPhone gaming news, reviews and interviews! In each episode your hosts Lloyd Hannesson and Jared Schulz will bring you the latest in gaming on iOS.
This show has been retired. Keep checking back for more Mobile Game coverage on REZD.tv
Copyright: © 2017 REZD.tv
The 2016 Year in Review Extravaganza
We don’t really have show notes for this as they would prove to be full of spoilers. So let’s just say that in this very special episode, Jared and Todd talk about mobile gaming in 2016.
We start with some big news stories/trends.
We then create some categories and award some games prestigious titles.
Finally, we each run down our personal Top 5 “Games of 2016” lists.
Fun stuff and we hope everyone enjoys the show.
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
Editor’s Note: Well this is a sad day indeed. It’s with great sadness that I have to announce that the Jared and Todd era of the ToG is now over. I started this little podcast in September of 2008 right around when the App Store was first announced/hunted. I was regularly blogging about gaming at the time and was insanely hyped with the prospect of gaming on my mobile device. It turns out that gaming on the iPhone was a hit. Billions of apps have been released, and the ToG was a great way for us to help you spend your money wisely.
I had to step down as a co-host a few years ago due to time constraints. Podcasting when you have two kids, a full time job and a network to run is never easy. I offered the hosting gig to Jared and he mentioned that he would check if Todd could co-host. Once they hit their few-episode-in stride the show blossomed. It grew to become better than it had even been. Todd and Jared have been great hosts, talking about all of their gaming love every week or two. I’m super sad to see them stepping down. I don’t know how any one can fill their shoes moving forward.
I wanted to capture this little note here, my sincere thanks to Todd and Jared for what they did. I loved listening to you talk about Mobile Games every week or so. You guys rock! <3 That said, moving forward the future of the ToG is a little unclear. I'm planning on keeping up with the bi-weekly release schedule for some time, hopefully things will become a little more clear as we go. Ideally I would like to find someone who can sit in the host chair moving forward, we'll see how it goes! So thanks again to Jared and Todd for a job well done! Your mobile gaming passion will be missed :(
In this, the last Jared and Todd era ToG recording, we talk a bunch of news from the Apple Keynote. The biggest things are Super Mario Run, Pokemon, and the Lightning headphone jack.
We then talk a few games we did not play.
After that, Todd has a few brief updates on games he talked about last episode:
Riptide GP: Renegade ($2.99. iOS and Android, Vector Unit),
Mr. Robot:1.51exfiltration.ipa ($2.99, iOS & Android, Telltale Games),
Solitairica ($3.99, iOS, Righteous Hammer)
Then we get into the new games we have been playing.
Jared starts things off by introducing a very special guest segment sent to use by Andi in Germany. He reviews Space Marshals 2 and then hands the mic back to us.
Jared:
Space Marshals 2 ($5.99, iOS, Pixelbite) – Jared loved the first game and this one just ups the ante in every way…from graphical polish to a newly improved stealth mechanic. This is one of Jared’s favorite games of the year (and Andi also feels that way) so just go and buy it now. Highly recommended.
Todd:
Disco Dave (Free, iOS & Android, Amused Sloth) – a fun little “endless” game where you control a character who needs to hop from colored square to colored square on a disco dance floor. Fun music, great controls, quick gameplay, lots of unlocks…they all add up to a fun little free to play, twitch mechanic game. Recommended.
Jared:
Age of Booty: Tactics (, Free w/iap, iOS/Android, Certain Affinity) – Jared was playing this strategy game on his phone but then his phone died so he tried to play it on his iPad Mini 2. Unfortunately, it would not load there. But don’t let that detract you…he is absolutely loving the game and has not hit any paywall due to how they handle things…you basically only need to pay for different chapters in the game…so if you are enjoying it, you can pay for more. Highly Recommended.
Todd:
Bounty Stars (Free, iOS & Android, DeNA) – another free to play strategy game, this one has a “Western in Space” feel. It features an upgradable set of crew members that you control as you chase across the solar system pursuing different “bounties”. You have crew vs. enemy battles as well as ship vs. ship battles, both of which are turn-based. Overall, the game is a lot of fun, is fair with its FTP, has a nice sense of style, and features decent depth. Recommended.
Jared:
Head of State ($1.99, iOS, Edward Biden) – the best thing that can be said about this game is that the dev’s last name makes Jared laugh. A game about politics…by a guy with the same last name as the current American Vice President? Hilarious. Unfortunately, the game itself is boring, cynical, and features some very annoying “bubble popping” mechanics. Avoid it like you would avoid a pollster.
Todd:
Lumines Puzzle and Music ($2.99, iOS & Android, Mobcast) – this is a very nice mobile take of the classic Lumines game…first seen on the Sony PSP. It is basically a music, puzzle, action game and it plays very well on mobile. Todd found the lack of controller support surprising but it is not really necessary. It is just something he was used to. The sound, graphics, and controls are all excellent and there is a lot of content to delve into. Mixing things up a bit, Mobcast also released a free version of the game this week. It is called Lumines Puzzle and Music NEO and Todd recommends you start there and grab the paid game if you like what you see. The paid game has “classic” content that the free version does not include. Highly recommended.
Jared:
Sushi Go! ($4.99, iOS, Michael Busheikin) – this is a nice little take on a boardgame “gateway” game. Simple and fast gameplay and a nice sense of style make this a fun little game to have. The thing is…this is the sort of game that really benefits from having multiple people in the same room playing the game, so you might just opt to pay a few more dollars to get the physical game. This is recommended overall but if you have friends and family to play with, opt for the real deal.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this epic, long (and 2nd to last) episode we talk about:
A few upcoming games we are excited for.
A bit of sad industry news.
New games we didn’t try (it’s been a busy couple of weeks for mobile gaming!)
We then did a few “brief updates” on games we did try.
Jared tried 3 games:
Primal Legends (Free, iOS & Android, Kobojo) – a fun little match 3 strategy game that Jared initially loved before he hit a massive paywall at around hour 3 or 4. He also found another game this week that was similar and that he liked more…so there is no room in his gaming heart, or on his gaming device, for Primal Legends. You were fun while you lasted, PL, but it is time to go.
Take Cover (Free, iOS/Android, Playdigious) – a Clash Royale-ish strategy game that has a semi-novel cover mechanic. This game has some promise…but not enough to recommend it over the better games out there in this genre. No need to pick this one up.
Dots & Co. (Free, iOS & Android, Playdots, Inc.) – a nice, simple puzzle game with dots that you need to match and a few twists on how that is done. Worth trying.
Todd tried 1 game briefly:
Riptide GP: Renegade ($2.99. iOS and Android, Vector Unit) – if you have played one Riptide game, you have played them all…but this one ups the ante and brings a lot to the table, so it is the best of the bunch from what Todd has seen so far. Jet Ski racing with lovely water effects and a refined UI and controls make for a fun game. More on this next show.
We then launch into the games we have really been playing this week.
Jared:
Saber’s Edge (Free, iOS & Android, Hibernum) – this is the game the supplanted Primal Legend for Jared. It is a more interesting free-to-play strategy matching game and well worth your attention. Recommended.
Todd:
Mr. Robot:1.51exfiltration.ipa ($2.99, iOS & Android, Telltale Games) – this game is akin to Lifeline with a few of the more traditional storytelling/choice elements that Telltale is known for. Essentially, you find a phone and you use the messaging app on the phone to unravel a mystery (even as you get caught up in it). It showed promise before Todd hit a conversation path with Lois Berry that broke the game. It has not worked after 2 patches so he will uninstall and reinstall and try again. Hold off on this one for now. It needs more QC.
Jared:
Hero Generations ($4.99, iOS, Heart Shaped Games) – both Jared and Todd played this one (Todd received a free copy from the Dev and is very, very thankful for that). Jared took the lead and they talked a lot about this very, very intriguing rogue-like meets RPG meets 4x strategy game. There is a lot to love here but a few of the game’s mechanics really start to become bothersome. Combat is almost pointless and essentially becomes a huge time waste. There is literally no strategy to it and it is very random in how it is resolved. Fog of War is a bit oppressive. The learning curve is steep. You really need to invest time to figure things out. But, that said, they both enjoyed what they played. With a few tweaks, this could be a game of the year contender…but it is not there yet. A cautious recommend.
Todd:
Solitairica ($3.99, iOS, Righteous Hammer) – this is an odd mix of a “golf” style version of solitaire coupled with RPG mechanics and rogue-lite elements. It is very intriguing, offers more strategy than meets the eye, is very well polished, and is oddly compelling. Todd is really digging what he has played so far and he recommends you at least check it out. Recommended.
Jared:
Legend of Skyfish ($3.99, iOS, Crescent Moon) – worried by the “low part of the rollercoaster ride” that has been Crescent Moon’s releases of late, Jared approached this game with some trepidation. As it turns out, it quickly became his favorite game of the week. It is a very “Legend of Zelda”-inspired RPG that features smaller levels, some interesting battle and “hook shot” elements, puzzles, and enemies. It is all wrapped up in a very nice looking package and it is well worth picking up if you are looking for this sort of game. Highly recommended.
Todd:
Leap of Fate ($3.99, iOS, Clever-Plays) – Jared played this as well. It is another mixed genre type of game. At its core it is a twin stick shooter, but it adds RPG and rogue-like elements to make each play through something unique. Pretty much every short level you tackle brings you something new and it is fun to explore not just the levels, the world, and the story but also your character build. The skill tree is very unique and offers something different each time. Overall, this game looks great, plays really well, and offers a strong challenge; while also throwing interesting hooks at you all the time. Highly recommended.
Jared:
Agricola: All Creatures Great and Small ($4.99, iOS & Android, Digidiced) – and we wrap things up with…what else???…a board game adaptation. Digidiced knocks another one out of the park and Jared really loves this simple but very strategic take on the worker/placement board game model. He likes this version of the board (and digital) game more than the first Agricola game and he sees tons of upside to this release. Well worth checking out. His one nitpick is that there is a $3 DLC pack that he feels adds a lot to the game and should have been included. But, hey, even at $8, this game is wonderful. Grab it if you are into such things.
And that is all. Thanks for listening…and reading…I am never sure if anyone reads my very long show notes. Ping me if you do; please. I am curious.
And that is all for the moment.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this episode, Jared and Todd chit chat a bit and then deliver some very sad (potentially) news about the podcast…
We then talk upcoming releases and some Pokemon GO news.
After that, we mention a few bigger games we did not play (but that we might have purchased).
And then it is on to the games we are playing…and it is a lot this time. Glory be!
Jared – gave an update on Heroes of Normandie ($9.99, iOS, Slitherine). After playing and reading up on the game for 2 hours, Jared is getting a handle on this excellent WWII strategy game. It has a steep learning curve (remember, he is a veteran of such games) but he is digging it so far and will update us more later. Worth checking out/keeping an eye on.
Todd – Talked briefly about 2 games: Mars: Mars (Free, iOS & Android, Pomelo Games) – this is a very fun and well-made rocket pack control game. Control your character (there are 30 you can unlock) as you launch from landing pad to landing pad on Mars. Very fun and really worth grabbing. Summoners Fantasy (Free, iOS, Ice Simba) – A CCG that offers a much different battle mechanic than most. Too soon to tell on this one and Jared suspects it is cribbing heavily from mini games in FF VIII and Skylanders: Giants. Hmmm…good thing it is free. Try it?
Jared – Talked about 2 games Mobius Final Fantasy (Free, iOS/Android, Square Enix) – It has potential but the story is boring/uninspired, the free to play mechanics are a bit much, and it is just not that good. He recommends that you avoid it and he deleted it from his device right after we recorded. Jurassic GO – Dinosaur Snap Adventure ($3.99,iOS, BebobBee, Inc.) Akin to Pokemon Snap from the Nintendo 64, this game offers a very pleasant/happy gaming experience as you roam through levels and try to take the best photos of the dinosaurs you find there. Family friendly and a good game for everyone…Jared recommends this one.
Todd – Reigns ($2.99, iOS & Android, Devolver Digital) – Todd’s favorite game of the past 2 week, this features a very simple swipe mechanic that allows you, as the King of a country, to make decisions and balance your kingdom. This starts small but adds in bit of story and intrigue as your king dies and a new one takes over. These “reigns” are stand-alone but they also combine with each other making this game very interesting. Highly recommended.
Jared – Severed ($5.99, iOS, Drinkbox Studios) – Take the basic play style of Infinity Blade and add new, fun elements, an odd story, and a totally different look/feel and it all adds up to a potentially superior game. Jared has not finished it yet, but he thinks it is well worth the price of admission. This might be one of his coveted “games of the year”. Grab it today.
Todd – Journey Below ($2.99, iOS, Ravenous Games) – an auto-running, dungeon platformer that has very simple, yet subtle controls. You jump and fight your way across and down dungeon levels trying to reach the end boss. There are lots of upgrades along the way as well as some tough enemies and obstacles. It reminds Todd a bit of Leap Day, but he likes this game more. It might be a bit too tough for his limited skillset; however. Worth looking into for sure.
Jared – Tinker Island (Free, Kongregate, Android/iOS) – a neat little resource management, builder type game, this finds you stranded on an island and it is your goal to build up your community in order to survive. The free to play mechanics seem manageable and this has inserted itself into Jared’s roster of “3 Free To Play games on my iPad” list. Worth checking out.
And that is all for the moment.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this episode, Jared and Todd talk some news and game updates and upcoming games they are excited for.
We then talk about a few bigger games we did not play.
And then the games we are playing.
Jared – Pokemon Go (Free, iOS & Android, Niantic) – Jared is still playing and enjoying the game. He is taking things at his own pace and catches ‘em all whenever he has time.
Jared – Legends of Heropolis (Free, iOS & Android, Kairosoft) – A far cry from the Kairosoft of yore, this game stuffs free to play mechanic after free to play mechanic into a game that is no fun and makes little sense. Jared has warned you: avoid it like the plague.
Todd – Dead Shell (Free on Android, $2.99 on iOS, Herocraft, Ltd.) – This game purports to be a RPG/Roguelike, but it really contains very little of either mechanic. The gameplay is quick and fairly fun but it feels more like Dungelot lite meets a clicker set in the world of Doom. It is worth trying for free on Android but there is not really enough there to recommend it on iOS. Todd thinks it is a 3 star game. Jared does not even think that much of it. It had the potential to be much better, though, and that is a shame.
Jared – Egg, Inc. (Free, iOS & Android, Auxbrain) – Jared is back on the clicker train and he is really enjoying this one. It does some things differently within the genre and it has a ton of charm. Worth checking out if you are craving yet another clicker.
Todd – Guild of Dungeoneering ($3.99, iOS & Android, Gambrinous) – This Boardgame meets roguelike meets card battle mechanic meets story game is something to behold. So much love and care and attention to detail obviously went into it that you owe it to yourself to at least check out some videos of the game. The game itself plays really well and has surprising depth, but it can be a bit too random for its own good. It can also feel a bit unfair or grindy; although just when you get frustrated to the point of quitting, a new little ditty plays in the game and you get a new character and you just have to smile and try that dungeon one more time. Todd highly recommends this. Jared, who played it at a higher price point on PC, is a little less enthusiastic about it; although he still played it for 5 hours.
Jared – Dots and Co. (Free, iOS & Android, Playdots) – the 3rd game in this series, this matching-esque game offers a lot of fun, pretty much no paywall, and a nice, cute style. Jared finds it almost relaxing to play and he recommends grabbing it and trying it for yourself.
And that is all for the moment.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this episode, Jared and Todd push the big, big, big news to the end of the show – just in case you are burned out on it.
We then talk about a few bigger games we did not play.
And then the games we are playing.
Jared – Smash Squad (Free, iOS, WG Cells Limited) – this is a brief update on the game that Jared talked about last episode. He has played a lot of it and really likes it but he has hit a paywall…and it seems pretty steep. So, he still recommends it but he warns that you might only get a week or 2 of gaming from it. Trier beware.
Todd – Micro Machines (Free, iOS, Chillingo) – this little free to play “table top racer” has potential. It has a nice look and feel with decent (if limited – you only steer…no gas or brake) controls, but the whole package reeks of too many free to play mechanics and shenanigans. They add up and get tiresome. Additionally, this is “online only” and versus other players, so match making figures heavily into how well you progress…and the match making has not been the best. There is some enjoyment to be had but Todd feels this game is not for him and could use work overall. He will not stick with it; and that is a bit of a shame. Go play Mini Motor Racing instead.
Todd/Jared – Super Stickman Golf 3 (Free, iOS & Android, Noodlecake) – lost in the buzz of Pokemon Go is the 3rd iteration in the SSG series. This one is more of the same with tweaks and embellishments and added polish. You control a little golfer as you tackle puzzle-like, side view golf courses. The game plays as well, if not better, than the prior 2 and there is a lot to keep you entertained. Free to play is toned down and you really don’t have to pay anything; although giving $2.99 unlocks some features you might like such as downloadable courses. Overall, both Todd and Jared agree…if you like SSG then you will like this a lot. If you don’t, this will do nothing to change your mind. Oh, and the card opening mechanic feels awesome. Highly recommended overall.
Jared – Rising Warriors (Free, iOS, FredBear Games LTD) – this free to play strategy game has you slowing building an army and working your way through tactical battles. Jared is digging it but some of the free to play mechanics, mostly revolving around timers, seem oddly placed and really limit the flow of gameplay. Perhaps those will get tweaked so you might want to check this out but, overall, this is more of a wait and see game at this point.
Todd – Dead Venture ($1.99, iOS & Android, Dogbyte Games) – This is a mission based, voxel graphic, semi-rogue like game where you control an upgradeable vehicle and you get sent on short missions of zombie destruction and item collection. Each time you make a run towards you mission goals, a day goes by. You have a camp that acts as your home base and you get assigned new missions as you complete old ones. You upgrade your vehicle and unlock more vehicles and move to new camps in the Story Mode. You can also play Survival and Time Attack modes. It all adds up to a lot of fun for $2. Highly recommended.
Jared – Pokemon Go (Free, iOS & Android, Niantic) – we are digging the game and the phenomena around it. We talk about it all for the last 15+ minutes of the show; making it easy for you to skip this section if you are burned out on Pokemon Go news. Despite its shallow gameplay and a few design hiccups, this is a very fun and oddly addictive game. We can see why it has captured the world’s attention.
And that is all for the moment.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this episode, Jared and Todd talk about a lot of game updates and industry news and the latest Humble Android/PC Bundle.
We then talk about the games we did not play.
And then the games we are playing.
Jared – Adventure Co. (Free, Foursaken Media, iOS/Android). Jared likes, but does not love, this party-based action game. There is some depth and fun here but it is not quite for him. Same goes for Todd. Worth checking out because there is a good game here for sure, but it might not be for everyone.
Jared – Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (Free, Square Enix, iOS/Android) Jared loved FF Record Keeper so he had high hopes for this one. Sadly they were dashed due to poor free to play mechanics and boring gameplay. This is not a keeper at all. Don’t bother with it and check out last year’s entry instead.
Todd – Neo Turf Masters ($2.99, iOS, dotEMU/SNK) vs. Eagle Fantasy Golf (Free, iOS, Aiming Inc.). 2 golf games on iOS. Neo Turf Masters is an old Neo Geo game and mixes arcade action with a tiny bit of golf sim all wrapped up in a 16 bit look. This game is retro and it shows, but it can still be fun. Worth it if you liked the game back in the day and/or want to (re)visit a classic. Eagle Fantasy Gold is a more modern take on the genre a la Hot Shots Golf. It has some fun elements but it is a bit too “free to play” at times. Nevertheless, it looks decent and plays well and is worth checking out if you are looking for some casual golfing fun with lots of stats and items you can equip and level up.
Jared – Shadowverse (Free, iOS, Cygames) – This CCG is very similar to Heartstone but it adds some twists of its own while also borrowing a few ideas from games like Sol Forge. It is a very solid title and has a nice single player campaign. Worth checking out if you are into the genre or are looking for a Hearthstone replacement. Recommended.
Jared – Smash Squad (Free, iOS, WG Cells Limited) – it looks like Jared has a new entry in his “3 Free to Play Games I am keeping on my device” list. He allows himself 3 Free to Play games at a time on his devices and this is now one of them. It reminds him a bit of Squids with its shuffleboard-esque battle mechanic and its art style/charm. Recommended!
Jared – Teeny Titans ($3.99, Cartoon Network, iOS/Android) – A fun little collect ‘em all squad battler based on the New Teen Titans cartoon. The collecting elements are great fun (sort of like picking out digital Amiibos) and so is the gameplay. Highly recommended for all ages!
Jared – Rodeo Stampede – Sky Zoo Safari (Free, Featherweight Games Pty Limited, iOS/Android) – Jared is really digging this game in the way Todd loved Crossy Road. Lots of challenge to be had. Fun animals to unlock. High scores to be chased. Just a great time overall and the free to play elements are not even noticeable. Highly recommended.
And that is all for the moment.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this episode, Jared and Todd talk about a lot of game updates and industry news.
We then talk about the games we did not play.
And then the games we are playing.
Jared – Star Billions (Free w/IAP $3, James Cockerham/Catch and Release, iOS/Android) – Jared sort of digs this little game. It is similar to Lifeline as it will send you little story bits throughout the day. The issue is that if you want to speed things along, you need to play 1 of 2 inane mini-games. That aside, the writing is solid and the story is fun. The first chapter is free. The next costs $2.99. Recommended.
Todd – Wizard Swipe (Free, iOS & Android, Niceplay Games) – pixel game in which you swipe to shoot spells upwards in order to defend your castle. This one starts off fun and a bit refreshing, but it grows more annoying as you progress. You are basically forced to watch ads to double your much-needed gold and levels get hard in a hurry…forcing you to grind for gold so you can upgrade your tech tree. This has potential, and is fun for the first hour, but after that it will leave you wanting something better honed. Try it but don’t expect too much.
Jared – Dawnbringer (Free, Kiloo, iOS/Android) – Think Infinity Blade meets Open World RPG and you get an idea of what is going on here. Things look great and, initially, all is good in the game…but flaws soon crop up. There are only 3 types of quests. The fighting system is a bit awkward and does not play well. You are basically forced to watch ads if you die. Etc. It all adds up to a game that Jared cannot really recommend. Since it is free, you might want to give it a go…just don’t expect a whole lot and make sure you have a newer device.
Todd – Heroes of Loot 2 ($3.99 on iOS & $4.49 on Android, OrangePixel) – the sequel to their fun action RPG, this sees more of the same only ramped up. It all plays pretty well and it is a very solid action title with rogue-like elements baked in. Todd recommends it but he thinks you might want to wait a week or 2 for the next (promised) update. It will add MFi support and more.
Jared – Star Nomad 2 ($7.99, Anh Huy Phan, iOS) – this game’s PC roots shine through way too much and that gets in the way of its menus and controls. Underneath is a potentially very fun space exploration and trading game, but the cons outweigh the pros; especially at this premium price point. It is another “wait and see” type of game but, as of now, Jared cannot currently recommend it on mobile.
Todd – BlazBlue RR – Real Action Game (Free, iOS & Android, 91 Act) – a level based action game set in the BlazBlue fighting game universe, this one has tons of free to play elements…but they act more as points of confusion than points of pain/annoyance. In fact, the game is surprisingly deep in its controls and move set and it also offers a ton to do each session without the FTP elements blocking your progress. Todd is digging it a lot and it thinks it is worth checking out. It also looks pretty darn amazing.
Jared – Lost Frontier ($2.99, Mika Mobile, iOS/Android) – Jared once again buries the lead and saves the best for last. We saw Warbits a few weeks ago and now we see another turn-based strategy game enter the fray. This one has a Steampunk/Western setting/feel and it does enough different from Warbits (and Advanced Wars before it) to set itself apart. It does a lot right and it just feels good, so if you are into the genre then this is one for you to check out for sure. Highly recommended.
And that is all for the moment.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this episode the lads find that things have been BUSY in the mobile gaming world of late.
They talk some game updates that have recently rolled in.
They then talk about upcoming games.
And they wrap up the section with some industry news.
Moving on to games they are playing…
Jared – Tiny Tower (Free, iOS/Android, Nimble Bit) – this game came out 5 years ago but it just got a massive update. Jared is really digging it (yet again) and encourages everyone to at least check it out.
Todd – Adventure League 2D Retro (Free in Beta, Android, AXFN) – this game is in beta but it is a fun little RPG/Strategy/Rogue-like game. The writing is its strong suit and it is worth taking a look at and maybe adding input to the dev about.
Jared – Castles of Mad King Ludwig ($6.99, iOS, Jeremiah Maher) – another excellent board game to mobile translation from the folks that brought you the also-excellent “Suburbia”. Jared is truly loving this game and thinks it belongs on the devices of anyone interested in the genre. Grab it!
Todd – Pixel Cup Soccer 16 ($2.99, iOS, ODT S.A.) – This is not FIFA and it is not trying to be. No, this old school, extremely arcadey take on football/soccer offers a nice look and plenty of high-paced action…but Todd is torn on it. There is not a lot of depth there and every game pretty much feels the same. Things like goalie control, a more zoomed out look of the pitch, improved penalty shot mechanics, etc. would all add to the enjoy-ability of the game. The devs are working on lots of patches so Todd recommends watching this one and grabbing it once its feature set meets your desires. Until then, you might want to also have a look at Active Soccer 2.
Jared – Legendary Team – the action role playing game for epic heroes (Free, Android/iOS, Panteon) – Think free to play Battleheart and you have this game. It is worth checking out if you had your fill of Battleheart but still want to play something similar. Or, maybe, if you don’t want to spend any money on Battleheart at all and are looking for something free to play. It is a good game, but there is a better one out there and that makes this one fall into quite a small niche.
Todd – Skate Party 3 ($1.99, iOS and Android, RatRod) – think Tony Hawk Pro Skater for mobile. This game does a nice job replicating the look and feel of the old THPS games. It plays well. It has large and varied levels with lots of challenges. It has lots of things to unlock. It has a decent control scheme and (somewhat limited) controller support. All in all…it is a skateboarding game and if you are into that sort of thing, this is well worth a look.
Jared – Gem Hunters (Free, iOS, Armor Games Inc.) – a “match 3” game with RPG elements, this game is fairly simple but does get deeper the more your progress. You have stats that can level up. You have gear you can equip and improve. You have “pets” that can lend a hand. And, of course, you have a quest that plays out in “levels” that you need to complete. It is a very solid offering overall if you are into the genre and it is worth taking a look at.
And that does it for now.
Facebook: rezd.tv
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
In this episode we catch up a bit, we talk about some game updates, some upcoming games, and some interesting news items that are part of the mobile gaming world.
We then touch upon a few games we did not try before launching into games we did try.
Todd talked briefly about 2 games he tried…Mekorama (Free – pay what you want, iOS, Martin Magni) and Leap Day (Free, iOS, Nitrome). Mekorama is a bit of a mash up of Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker (WiiU) and Monument Valley. It seems fun and both Todd and Jared like it, but it might need better camera control. Worth trying if you like modern puzzle games. Leap Day is a “new level a day” platformer that sees you inside a bit of a tower-esque level. You auto-run left to right and control your jumps up. It can be fun and rewarding but also very frustrating. It all depends on what you like so try it and take things from there.
Jared – Titan Quest ($6.99, iOS, DotEmu) – this classic PC Action RPG (think Diablo II) comes to iOS and it is an extremely faithful and full-fledged port. Everything that was in the PC game is basically in this one and it all looks good and controls nicely on the touch screen. Jared is digging it so far and may talk about it more, but if you have been craving a good ARPG then this should be on your very, very short list.
Todd – Bejeweled Stars (Free, iOS & Android, EA) – Todd has a bit of a soft spot for Bejeweled and he had to try this one. As it turns out, the game takes all of the normal “matching” found in a Bejeweled game and sets it in a world comprised of short levels. There are many challenges to be had and many free to play aspects to dig into (limited lives, items that you create but that take real world time to make, various currencies, etc.). None of this is too onerous; but it takes away from the fun. No more crazy score chases. No more almost losing in the game only to frantically find a match and keep moving forward, no more leaderboards. It is just short levels that are tailored in such a way that you are bound to need special items to complete them. It was fun at first but it eventually wore out its welcome. Grab it if you want to relive a bit of the Bejeweled magic…and then delete it when you get tired of its free to play mechanics.
Jared – GodFinger 2 (Free, iOS, Jiggery Pokery) – More Godfinger more of the time. Jared has not really played enough of this “sim” yet, but he likes what he is playing. It is worth looking at if you enjoyed the first one but the jury is still out on the longevity of the game overall.
Todd – Imbroglio ($3.99, iOS, Michael Brough) – During the course of the podcast, Jared taught Todd that “imbroglio” is an Italian word meaning: an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation. Todd was embarrassed by his terrible pronunciation of the word, but the “confused and complicated” bit also make a bit of sense in describing the game itself. This is essentially a rogue like where you control 1 of 4 characters on a 4 x 4 tile grid. The twist is the tiles on the grid are actually weapons and they each have a color, an ability, and a power. You make your way around the board trying to collect 1 gem at a time. You have to battle monsters that will fare better against one color weapon or the other, so you need to plan ahead and try to attack from a position (tile) of power. It is actually a deep and rewarding little system and there is a lot more to take in than you might think at first. Overall, this is a very intriguing game and worth the price; especially if you are interested in charismatic rogue-like games.
And that about does it for another episode.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
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